Carlos wants to be an actor. But his father, Pepe, wants him to work in the family business, that is, male prostitution. Carlos decides that he will be one of his father’s boys until he can get his foot in the door in Hollywood. Finally one of his clients, a rich soap star, offers him a bit part in her show. Pepe tell Carlos that she is just using him and demands that he not see the women any longer. Carlos defies his father and when his big day comes he is finds out the harsh realities of life are even harsher than he imagined.

Film Review

"Star Maps" is a unusual for a Hollywood film. It is quite literate and does not follow the conventional Hollywood film structure. In fact, it views like a film version of a literary novella. This is probably it's weakness and it's strength. I am being very vague because I do not like to step on anyone's enjoyment of film by inadvertently spilling the beans. Just take my word for it that "Star Maps" is a literate movie with very talented Hispanic actors and actresses."Star Maps" is the bittersweet journey of a Mexican hustler who wants to be a famous actor but finds that goal challenged by his extremely dysfunctional family. This movie is a great Hollywood coming-of-age story in the vein of "Where The Day Takes You" and "Eddie Presley". Definitely worth a look!

I am amazed at the comments, as many of the commentators seem to want to watch a Hollywood movie, but were unaware that they were watching a film.First off, yes, this movie is gritty. And it does have its flaws. I can tell, however, that few of the commentators carefully watched this film by a)the sole focus on the character Carlos, and b)the comment that this was an unhappy ending.This is a story about a family, and it is not so much a docudrama about Mexican immigrants living in Los Angeles as it is an allegory about family life and the struggle to be happy. A key character in this film is the mother, Teresa. She is mentally ill (I believe schizophrenic, but it is never detailed) and she serves as the center for the family. Carlos and Maria want to leave, but stay because of their duty to take care of their mother. The brother (whose name I forget) withdraws, and does not want to face the reality of the family dynamics. But here is where I believe everyone is wrong. There is a happy…